Sucre is safe away from home and trying to win a job with Orioles

FORT MYERS, Fla. - Nate Karns will pitch in his second spring training game Tuesday while coming out of the bullpen against the Pirates in Sarasota.

Karns didn't experience any discomfort in his right arm following Saturday's bullpen session and will get back on the mound after Alex Cobb makes the start.

The Orioles backed off Karns, skipping him Friday night in Tampa in favor of left-hander John Means, after he felt that he didn't bounce back in normal fashion following last Monday's debut against the Twins in Fort Myers.

Risks won't be taken in spring training and especially with a pitcher who missed the entire 2018 season due to an elbow injury.

Means gets the start Wednesday versus the Rays in Port Charlotte and Mike Wright starts Thursday against the Pirates in Bradenton.

Available pitchers behind Cobb Tuesday also include Josh Rogers, Mychal Givens and Josh Lucas. Givens threw a bullpen session yesterday, with Jesús Sucre catching him.

Sucre caught Jimmy Yacabonis' simulated game this morning. Chris Davis and Mark Trumbo took turns in the cage.

The lineup for Thursday's game should include Sucre, who finally made it to camp after obtaining his work visa.

The late signing and political unrest in Venezuela complicated the process, the latter endangering Sucre, his wife and two children and compounding an already stressful situation. Baseball sadly was again put into its proper perspective.

Sucre finally was able to secure his visa, but only after delays caused by the American embassy closing in his home country.

"There were a lot of things going on there," Sucre said. "First, I signed a little bit late and then the embassy got closed in Venezuela because a lot of trouble is happening down there right now. So I went to Colombia and did my visa there. I spent like four days there."

The competitions for a starter and backup behind the plate began without Sucre, who agreed to a minor league deal with the Orioles on Feb. 5 after spending parts of four seasons with the Mariners and the last two with the Rays.

Sucre can earn $850,000 if he's on the team and his contract includes a March 22 opt-out date.

Asked whether he worried about falling behind while unable to report, Sucre replied, "For sure, for sure."

"When I was signed by Baltimore, my agent told me that I have a chance to make the team," he said. "I was kind of worried about it. They've got some talent here. They've got two men (Chance Sisco and Austin Wynns) on the 40-man. I'm not on the 40-man. But you know what? Last year I came a little late, too, but I'm here now and I'm happy to be here. We'll see what happens."

Sucre is engaged in a battle that also includes non-roster invites Carlos Pérez, Andrew Susac and Martin Cervenka. Pérez was added for the same reason as Sucre, to give manager Brandon Hyde a veteran option.

"The opportunity is going to be big for me right here," Sucre said. "If they give me an opportunity to play a little bit - I know I got here like two weeks late - but if they let me play I'm going to have a chance."

Sucre played winter ball and shouldn't need as many at-bats to get ready as someone who remained idle throughout the offseason.

"I like to play winter ball to stay ready," he said. "I'm not that far. And I'm not a kid. I'm 30 years old, so I get ready quick."

The Orioles have brought pitchers Diogenes Almengo, Tanner Chleborad, Omar Bencomo and Matt Wotherspoon, catcher Cody Roberts, infielders Adam Hall and J.C. Escarra and outfielder Robert Neustrom from minor league camp for today's game.

For the Twins
Luis Arraez 3B
Jonathan Schoop 2B
C.J. Cron 1B
Mitch Garver C
Tyler Austin DH
Alex Kirilloff RF
Adam Rosales SS
Luke Raley CF
Brent Rooker LF

Kyle Gibson RHP